Hi! I’m Timah, a Brooklyn belle who wants to experience all the beautiful things the world has to offer.

When I was 11 years old I sold over 500 candy bars so that I could go to Spain and Portugal for a week on my middle school’s European trip. The sights, the sounds, the smells… I had never experienced anything like it! Was all of Europe like this? The very next year I hawked even more candy for the school’s trip to France and Monaco. I’m fairly certain it was then that my wanderlust spirit awakened.

Determined to learn more about the world than what I thought Brooklyn could offer, I left home at 13 to attend boarding school in Exeter, New Hampshire. It was at Exeter that I learned a simple phrase called Non Sibi – not for oneself. It’s a sentiment that, to me, embodies all that is good in this world. And, guided by the words of John Phillips, I have come to understand that “goodness without knowledge is weak and feeble, yet knowledge without goodness is dangerous, and that both united form the noblest character, and lay the surest foundation of usefulness to mankind.”

College in Virginia and graduate school in Indiana were spent constantly gaining knowledge, always sharing goodness, and occasionally satisfying my wanderlust spirit whenever I could. In 2011, after earning my Ph.D., I vowed that I would travel more.

I moved back home to Brooklyn to save money and live what I thought would be a dream life – teaching at a university, catching up with family, running and dancing through the big city, and jet-setting around the world. Ha! After a year at home I found myself feeling restless and trapped. Something was missing. I still wanted needed to do, see, live, and travel MORE!

This is my journey to the land of MORE. I hope you enjoy it as much as I am thus far.

I just randomly came across your blog and I’m so happy I did!! I’m an African American woman and i just got my BA and will hopefully be getting into a PhD program soon. I’ve been learning Korean for a while now and I want to eventually go to Korea but I’ve been so afraid to go because of my skin color. I know it’s probably a silly thing but I know that in Asia, especially in Korea, skin color can be a pretty big deal. Have you had any issues being in Korea and having darker skin? Also, are you with a program or are you just there by yourself? Thank you so much!!

Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. I never know who is reading and simply hope that someone out there finds something in this blog that is useful.

You’ve been learning Korean? You are miles ahead of most expats who are coming to Korea. I knew how to read characters and say hello, thank you, yes, and no when I landed. I’ve fumbled my way through the rest while living here.

As for issues with skin color… I haven’t noticed any blatant issues with folks not liking me because of that. Then again, I don’t exactly understand Korean either so the language barrier may also be a protective factor. My students seem to get a kick out of my foreign-ness and most people smile back at me when I smile at them on the street. *shrug* The biggest issue I have with dark skin is finding cosmetics (foundation or BB cream) that will suit me. Yea, not that big of a problem to have. To read more about the Black/Brown experience in Korea I suggest you have a look at the Facebook group called BSSK (Brothas and Sistas in South Korea).

I’m currently teaching with GEPIK and I went through a recruiting company to land the job. If you’d like more information or want to chat, feel free to email me at livetravelmore (at) gmail (dot) com.

Hi!
I’m going to be moving to northeastern Seoul this coming August for a position in an afterschool hagwon. I was looking up info on apostilles, found your blog, and am so enthusiastic and eternally grateful!! Your blog is awesome and I’m going to continue referring to it. Although I have spent time living in Korea before, it was in a student capacity rather than teacher, so I’m looking forward to getting more tips and info from you. Thanks so much for being so thorough and so distinctly open to Korean culture, something that I’ve found english teachers to be lacking in the past (I’m looking at you, drunk expat dudes in Hongdae).
~Janet

Hi, Janet!
Thanks for stopping by and congratulations on the new gig. Happy to help you through that apostille nonsense. I have some friends in my city who work for a company that places them in elementary schools for after-school programs. I envy their schedules, so I hope your experience at the hagwon is just as pleasurable. Drop me a line when you get in town if you ever want to do noraebang or cafe hopping 🙂

Thanks! The candy bars were pretty simple. My (step)Dad was a bus driver for the NYC public school systems during the week and private charter bus on the weekend. My Mom also worked in a huge government office. Between the two of them and my weekend jaunts to a local bowling alley, everyone we knew was forced to buy a candy bar or 5. I wonder if you can still do this today for a decent profit.

You’re probably here by now. Hope your first few weeks have been pleasant. Jeollanamdo is quite far from Uijeongbu, but it’s gorgeous. I’ve been hiking in that area a few times and loved it. Have you also checked out the Brothas and Sistas in South Korea (BSSK) Facebook group? It’s a wonderful resource.

I found your blog as I was researching the TESL Groupon I purchased yesterday. I’m considering working abroad to spice up my life as I’m definitely in a rut. Can you share the company you used for your placement? Your posts have been quite inspiring. Thanks so much!

Thanks for stopping by, Shavonne. I used Korvia Consulting for my job placement in a GEPIK school. The process was fairly smooth and I’m still in contact with recruiters from the agency while I’m here. Have a look at their webpage and you’ll find several resources and detailed instructions on how to proceed. Good luck!

i first came across your fbi crc post and find your blog both really helpful and fun to read. after floating around via wwoof, helpx, etc. for a while, i’m finally starting my first teaching gig in spain this fall. i also seriously considered asia and the middle east and am thinking about it for the future. though i’m no longer a novice traveler, i still find myself quite nervous for this next trip. i’ll probably refer back here for tips later on.

Hi, Lydia. Thanks for stopping by the blog. Congrats on the new gig in Spain. I have a few friends who have taught or are teaching there currently. All good experiences.

I think being nervous is normal. At least it is for me. Doing something new and exciting and unknown can bring out the nerves in the best of us. Please keep me posted on your move. Would love to hear more about Spain from your experiences.

Hi Timah! I found your blog awhile ago while googling ‘Vagina Steam’ (I had to do it) and I really like your blog. You’re a really funny writer. I was just nominated for The Liebster Award and now it’s my turn to do some nominating. And since you’re pretty fantastic I’m nominating you! If you’re interested in the award and want to learn more about it here is my Liebster Award post https://vitkinj.wordpress.com/2015/09/18/live-long-liebster/ I hope you enjoy it and I keep up the good work!

Hey there! ¡Hola! Salut! 안녕! I'm Timah, a Brooklyn Belle living in in Abu Dhabi. I've got a wanderlust spirit and love to laugh. When I'm not writing about my adventures as an educator living abroad, I'm learning how to live happily and holistically. Join me on my journey to live, travel, and do so much more.

"Not all those who wander are lost."— J. R. R. Tolkien

"Living is a form of not being sure, not knowing what next or how. The moment you know how, you begin to die a little. The artist never entirely knows. We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark."— Agnes de Mille